This article explores how local governments exercise broad discretion in awarding construction contracts through “privilege clauses”, …
When a municipality seeks electoral approval to borrow funds for an amenity, voters are provided with a very general description of what is being built. When that plan for the amenity changes from what residents expected on voting day, what can concerned residents do? In this two-part series, the Court in Protecting our Vancouver Aquatic Centre Society v. City of Vancouver, 2026 BCSC 1285 was tasked with deciding whether it should prevent a municipality from closing an amenity (Part 1), and judicially reviewing of a decision to replace the amenity given the wording of the plebiscite and what was disclosed in materials provided to voters (Part 2).